Farrell slotted over a penalty after Nick Williams was penalised for an off-the-ball challenge on British and Irish Lions hooker George.

Blues took the lead with a try from nothing after makeshift wing Garyn Smith collected an Anscombe chip before unleashing Fish, who cantered away to score.

Anscombe’s conversion gave Blues a 14-13 half-time lead in an opening 40 minutes Saracens had largely controlled.

Flanker Olly Robinson replaced Samu Manoa after the break but it was Navidi who thwarted a Saracens attack with a turnover before constant pressure allowed Farrell to kick a third penalty and regain the lead.

Saracens dominated the scrum with Wales prop Dillon Lewis coming on and producing a surging run and Farrell showing his class with an outrageous offload five metres from his own line.

Blues turned down a chance to kick at goal and forced another penalty, with Australia second-row Will Skelton yellow-carded for a professional foul, but Saracens forced a turnover and cleared the danger.

The home scrum was under constant pressure and yielded Farrell’s fourth penalty to edge Saracens further ahead, before George clinched victory with a try that the TMO ruled he had grounded despite appearing to be held up by Robinson.

Farrell inevitably converted as Blues were denied even a losing bonus point.